Help me work out what is the best Greenhouse for me?

1. First choose the glazing you would prefer...
   Glass                = Glasshouse        = Looks stunning and will last for decades
   Polycarbonate  = Greenhouse        = Insulates brilliantly, ideal for colder/frost prone areas
   Shade mesh     = Shade House     = Offers protection from the harsh sun and great for hardening-off plants  
   Read more about which glazing would suit you best here...

2. Now choose the width you prefer...
   6ft Single Door (2.0m) wide    
   8ft Double Door (2.6m) wide *most popular*
   10ft Double Door (3.2m) wide 
   20ft+ Double Door (6.4m) wide - commercial size, read here

3. Now choose the height you would prefer...
   Standard height
   High wall option *most popular*
   Extra high wall

3. And finally the length...
   4ft (1.3m)      12ft (3.8m)
   6ft (2.0m)     16ft (5.0m)
   8ft (2.6m)     18ft (5.8m)
   10ft (3.2m)   24ft (7.6m) or any other length you'd like!

Important Points to Consider when choosing a Greenhouse

Years ago most greenhouses used to be an ugly structure at the end of the garden... now days there are plenty of attractive models available allowing the greenhouse to become a feature in it’s own right. Some important things to think about are:

Size How much do you intend to grow? How much space do you have available for your greenhouse? Is it just for seedlings or for year-round growing? From my experience people often wish they had a bigger greenhouse, somehow they always fill up!

Shape Long, short, tall? What shape site do you have available? Will you need a permit from the council? Most councils allow a 10m2 structure on a site before a permit is required but it’s always a good idea to check with them first if this is a concern.

Quality & Construction What is it made from? How long will it last? Generally people have a good idea on what they are after but do your research. Common sense prevails here. There are plenty of cheap imported greenhouses available but often these are not designed for New Zealand's harsh conditions. You generally get what you pay for so if you want a greenhouse to last it is usually worth spending a little bit more and getting a good one.

Budget How much are you prepared to pay for a greenhouse?

Site Conditions Do you need a greenhouse which is frost resistant, snow proof, strong enough to handle the wind? If you live in an exposed area you really need to consider how you are going to shelter the greenhouse and fix it to the ground.

Personal Circumstances Can you take it if you move house? Is it safe around young children? Can you move this around the site to grow directly into fresh soil? All factors which are worth considering depending on your own circumstances.